Apples for the Teachers

School finished for the summer last Friday and these bags were our
gifts to Markie's teachers. I was busy making them last week, hand
stitching the appliques and then sewing together all the bag pieces.
I always enjoy projects like these and was very glad to be able to make
these presents to show her teachers our appreciation for all their
hard work. They've done a fantastic job making learning fun and interesting for the children and it's really thanks to them that Markie
 has had a good first year at school. She's learned so much, has made
many friends and most of all, she's really enjoyed her time at reception.
We are grateful to her teachers and it was a real pleasure making them
these gifts. Fingers crossed she'll be just as happy in Year One next
school year. But we're not really thinking about that yet. We're too busy
enjoying the summer holidays at the moment. We're off to the seaside
this Saturday and we're really looking forward to a whole week in
Robin Hood's Bay. A whole week! Can't wait!

I hope the summer holidays have started where you are and
it's going well. Whatever your plans are I hope you enjoy them.
See you soon!

A Tea Cosy

This is all about my new tea cosy. It's my latest finished project-
another tick in my things-to-make list. Hurray!

I've made tea cosies before- a couple to sell at craft fairs and another
two as presents- but this is the first time I've made one for my own use.
Until recently I've preferred tea bags to loose leaf tea. They're quicker,
easier, fuss-free. We have two tea pots in the house but we've seldom
used them. Then over the New Year I decided to use up this tin of loose leaf tea I was given ages ago and developed a real fondness for it.
They do taste better and I have come to enjoy the whole process of
making a 'proper pot' of tea. And in a funny way it feels to me like
 a more grown up way of making and consuming this favourite drink.
 So now that I'm a convert to loose leaf tea I use one of my tea pots
(the smaller of the two) everyday and it needs a little cosy to keep
it lovely and warm and so, of course, I just have it make it one.

I was going to crochet it but I couldn't decide which pattern
to pick- there are just so many brilliant ones out there!- and decided
to do it by sewing. I found my old pattern, adjusted the size a bit
and started cutting and sewing away. I wanted cherries to applique
on the outside and chose to make them using the crochet brooch
pattern from issue 43 of Mollie Makes. I love cherries, they're a
 favourite motif. I've added them before to other projects
 (you can see more here and here).

I'm really pleased with it. I like the combination of gingham, crochet
and little spots together. I'm glad I chose to make it this way.

It is also a treat to use. It's got the same waddling and backing material
that I've used for my patchwork blanket. It is thick and can keep
my tea pot warm for a long time-- a very cosy tea cosy!!

So that's my tea cosy. At the moment I'm making a couple of
pot holders for the kitchen. They'll take awhile to finish I think. We have
chicken pox in our house right now. Markie came home from school today with itchy spots that are unmistakably chicken pox so she's
off school for the rest of the week. I'll be busy giving cuddles and Calpol doses for the next few days. I doubt I'll have much time for sewing.
 We'll see. Anyway, thanks for stopping by here. I hope you're all having
a nice Tuesday evening. Have a lovely rest of the week!

Simple Happy Sewing

What a lovely, sunshiny Sunday we're having here today!
Maybe spring is truly, finally here! I do hope so.
The girls played in the park this morning and were so tired
they're both having naps right now. Which is perfect because
I get to have some peace and quiet and I might even
do a spot of crochet later. But first I'll show you the bags
I've just finished making for them.

They are simple tote bags made from calico fabric with 

their names appliqued on one side. I got the idea for these

from Gillian who made lovely personalised bags for her

kids last summer. I thought they would be handy for keeping

the girls' books and toys when we go on holiday or when 

they go to Nanny and Granddad's house. 

The girls love their bags and this makes me
very happy. Here's Markie with her bag.

And a very bored Lulu with hers.

She'd rather be watching Cebeebies.
Mummy's sewing may be lovely but it's not as interesting
as Mr.Tumble!


Hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

Back soon!

Christening Gift

This is the christening present I made for our niece
who was christened last Saturday.

It's a personalised embroidery hoop picture
with baby shoes appliques inspired by a sweet little pair
that was my younger daughter's.

I embroidered her name and date of birth underneath
the appliques

and finished off the picture with pink gingham ribbons.

The christening was a happy affair with friends and family and
 it was lovely to have been a part of it especially as my husband was
one of the godparents. It's lovely too to make her this gift.
Eventhough my hand embroidery is not perfect I'm hoping she
won't mind it too much when she's older and this picture
will become a keepsake she'll like as well as treasure.




Thanks for reading!

Have a great week!

Strawberry Photo Board

Last summer I was asked by a lovely lady here in Sheffield

if I could make her a strawberry shaped photo board. 

It was going to be a present for her bestest friend who loves
strawberries. What she wanted was sort of like those fabric covered
notice boards with ribbons crisscrossing at the front
to hold papers, cards, etc.
I've never made one before but decided to give it a go.
It wasn't needed til November so I had time to come up with
a design and plan.

I started off by cutting out a giant strawberry shape from

 two pieces of red spotty fabric then appliqued the leaves onto one of

them using blanket stitch.

Then I did a bit of embroidery before sewing both pieces of fabric

wrong sides together with the stalk then turned it right sides out.

I used medium interfacing on both sides to help hold its shape.

Instead of ribbons I attached these wooden pegs to the front

to hold photos.

Here it is stuffed and padded 

and all finished.

I was hoping it was what the lovely lady had in mind and
luckily it was. She liked it so much she gave me
the nicest compliment and paid me extra for my work!
Hurray!
Hoping to hear from her soon. Fingers crossed her friend will
love it too!



Thanks for reading!
See you soon!

x

Home Sewing

I always love a bit of home sewing,
making things for my girls and for us to use at home.

I made this elephant cushion soon after buying my sewing machine
about two years ago then this patchwork blanket when I felt braver and
more confident with machine sewing.

 These were bandana bibs I made for my youngest when she was a baby.
They're made of cotton fabrics and an unused towel.

 Some of the other things I've made:

a case for our Kindle with a little applique,

 a peg bag with apple motifs,

cushion covers to brighten up our sofa

and this bag for my eldest girl's dance shoes.

I have to admit they're all a bit wonky in places
(don't look too closely at the patchwork blanket!)
 But I guess that's perfectly all right.
They're just for us so there's no pressure to get all the shapes
and stitchings right. I can relax and take my time which for me
 are parts of the joys of home sewing and crafting.

I'm hoping to do more of this in the New Year but for now
there's a commission I have to finish (the last one for this year)
and presents to make for Christmas so I better get on with them.

See you soon!!

x